The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-22
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
JIM. THE PENMAN.


The reputation attained by this remarka-
BILE melo-drama has been justly obtained. No
statement is truer than the one which de-
scrlbes the central character of the play as
the self-made man that one might meet in
any parlor or board of directors; that moth
ing is exaggerated in his scoundrelism; and
that the spectator witnesses the mans inner
self from the first, and sees his degradation
under all his refinement. Nor is the play de-
pendent for its success upon this character
Of the forger, for the other parts are so well
draN Nm, and the characters so well conceived,
the conversations are so well written and so
natural; and the various situations are so
well brought about, with such ease and lack
OF effort, that the audience enjoy the rare
privilege of seeming to be themselves partic-
ipants in the mimic scenes before them.
The part of the forger is taken by George
Edgar-an actor of established repute, and
whose Lear captured the critics of New
York a few years ago-with the skill that
sinks the actor in the character. Probably
no more effective situation has been seen on
the boards OF Portland Theatre, for months,
than the one in which husband and wife face
each other, where Nina RalstOn tells her
husband that he forged the letter that sepa-
rated her from Louis Percival The long
suspense of the wife over the similarity of
the handwriting in the subscription book
and the letter, and the terrible awakening,
stamped Miss May Brooklyn as an emotional
and even terror, of Mr.. Edgar. as James
Ralston, was wonderfully depicted Mr.
Eytinge's Baron fairfield" was CONSUME
mate piece of character acting, admirably
balanced by Mr.. Louis Bakers Capt Red
wood" The other parts were all capitally
taken, making rounded and finished per-
Torrance. The piece was beautifully staged
and the Portland Theatre management is to
be congratulated on their work. The dress
ing Of the play was very rich and appropri-
ate. The curtain was called at the end of
each act, and at the close of the third act
Miss Brooklyn and Mr.. Edgar acknowledged
the plaudits of the large audience. The dra-
ma will be repeated at the matinee and even
to see Jim, the Penman," will lose one of
the greatest dramatic treats of the year.
PARK GARDEN.
There was good attendance last evening,
and the audience was well pleased with the
entertainment. Manager Knowlton has ad-
ed number of new attractions since Mon
day, and will continue to make the Garden a
place where all classes may find agreeable
entertainment during the winter evenings.
This afternoon and evening number Of new
characters will appear on the stage.
THE WELSH PRIZE SINGERS.
The next entertainment in the Stockbridge
course will be given by the celebrated Welsh
Prize Singers, and Miss Couthoui, the popu-
lar elocutionist. The singers are prize win
ners, picked from the most famous choir in
England, who competed at the Crystal Pal
ace in 1881. They appear in their national
costume, and sing Welsh and English cho-
russes, glees and solos. Tic kets should be
secured at once at Stockbridge's, for remain
ing choice of seats. Mr.. " Hayward of
Cardiff will give performances on the dulci-
mer and bells.
CORNISH VOCAL UNION.
The Cornish Vocal Union hold their annu-
al session at Union Hall, in Cornish, on Oct
%, &c, q and IS, under the able leadership of
DR.. j. 7. Wedgwood. His daughter, Miss
Rose K. Wedgewood, an accomplished must
clan, will act as pianist and accompanist.
Among the soloists will be Mrs. H. NJ.
and w. H. Stockbridge, tenor. There will
be public rehearsals Tuesday and Wednes-
day, afternoon and evening, public matinees
Thursday and Friday afternoons, and grand
concerts Thursday and Friday evenings
These reunions have been very successful for
several years, and good attendance is ex-
pected this season. A cordial invitation is
extended to singers generally to be present.
Free return tickets to all stations on the p.
a. o. ond Bridgton & Saco River railroads
will be furnished to all attending the conven-
ton. on application to the president, Geo. f.
Clifford Of Cornish.
NOTES.
Shadows of Cheat City" will be at Port
land Theatre ON Friday and Saturday eve
nings Of next week.